BRAZZAVILLE, 23 September 2009 (IRIN) - Villagers in the Republic of Congo's Plateaux nord region have started mapping their forest resources, in a move officials say will help to protect their interests.

"We began making maps which show where we grow things, where we hunt, fish and gather - everything which allows us to live from day to day," said Denis Bongo, village headman in Assengue, Ollombo District.

"With the ongoing exploitation of the forest, we have in the maps a bargaining tool [for] discussion [with logging companies] to help us [protect] what we hold most dear to us - our children."